Residents in northern Thailand cash in on rare mushrooms as monsoon season begins

Residents in Phayao province in northern Thailand are reaping the benefits of collecting wild mushrooms known as Hed Torb or Hed Por at the start of the rainy season, after prices rose to 830 baht (US$24) per kilogram.

Today, residents and villagers from the Thung Nong and Chiang Muan areas travelled to several forests in the area to take advantage of the price increase and began to harvest the mushrooms for consumption and sale.

Known for their round shape, Hed Torb mushrooms vary in size and can be found in forested areas tucked under the soil. Locals use a rake or stick to scrape the surface of the ground and underneath fallen leaves to find the mushrooms.

When young, the mushrooms are known to have a delicious taste, resulting in the price surge to US$24 per kilogram. They are in demand by customers, regular consumers, and market traders. These mushrooms…